Sainte-Chapelle

I recently visited Sainte-Chapelle on my second trip to Paris. I was urged to go by someone who said it was a must-see. After having been there, I agree. I can’t believe I was so close by to it my first time in Paris and completely missed it! Well, now I have gone and I’m glad. The stained glass is beautiful, and there is so much of it! You can definitely fit it in to your short or long stay in Paris, because it doesn’t take long to do. Well, the line was long to get in, but approximately 30 minutes later I was in. It’s not a huge cathedral that takes a long time to tour. You just go to the sanctuary where all the stained glass is, get your fill of it, and leave. Admission is covered by your Paris Pass, and you can buy it there. Sainte-Chapelle was my first stop this time, so I got my Paris Pass there. Very convenient!

No photo can do justice to Saint Chappelle – you MUST see it in person. Notre Dame is grand, but as this the King’s private chapel, it’s more intimate. When I walked in the narrow door from the ground floor into the chapel, the sun was streaming in through the blue glass like it was alive and I literally fell backwards into my friend, who was on the step behind me. It is THAT stunning. The care and artistry that went into each bit of glass, coupled with the artwork inside, is unbelieveable. If you get a chance, stop in one evening when they have a string quartet playing. The acoustics are amazing and I guarantee you will have a spiritual experience you will not forget. My absolute favorite spot in all of Europe…

Beautiful stained glass windows. I wish that my photos had turned out like some of the ones posted here – need a better camera!

The second story of this chapel is just amazing. Better stained glass windows then Norte Dame even!! Just an amazing place to visit!

Well, we visited, and it was reasonably sunny. First the good: it is undeniably beautiful, the stained glass is magnificent. But there’s a but. It is small and crowded. Besides the glass there isn’t much else to see. This wouldn’t matter much if you didn’t have to stand in line for at least half an hour and didn’t had to pay a 7,5€ entry fee, which is just too much to stare at glass (even if it is stunning) for 20 minutes.
If you only get one chance to see stained glass in European churches, this is the best pick. For the other folks: see a concert. As a stand-alone visit it wasn’t living up to its cost for me.

I’m leaving for Paris tomorrow, and this is obviously on my list. I hope the weather is better than the forecasts predict, as I need sun to light up the stained glass.

If you are in Paris for any length of time at all, you have GOT to visit this chapel! I can’t really understand why so many people visit Notre Dame when the Sainte Chapelle is a five minute walk away and, to my mind, infinitely more beautiful and impressive. The walls of the upper chapel are almost entirely made of stained glass and it’s just fantastic. As a penniless student I couldn’t afford a ticket to one of the concerts that are held here, but when I go back to Paris that will be top of my list of things to do.

I fell in love with this little powerful church. I had the good fortune of hearing a baroque quartet there…. it was simply beautiful.. caused me to tear up a few times.. Pachabel’s canon done in that church, was simply one of my most wonderful experiences.. and I’ve had many!! You must see this church..not far from Notre Dame….Notre Dame is a monolith in comparison..but this church, truly will make your Paris trip… unique!!

We sat in on a concert, mostly Mozart, as I remember. What an incredibly beautiful place.

From looking at the first floor, I couldn’t really imagine why my history teacher made such a big deal about this place. Then we went upstairs, and WOW! The most beautiful stained glass windows I’ve ever seen. This is a place that photos cannot do justice to—it holds such vibrant and breath-taking colors…. Beautiful.